Don't ask for fees from students, no birthday celebrations in schools; Education Dept issues directions

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the enumeration of schools functioning in the state without recognition has been completed. According to preliminary information, 827 unrecognized institutions are functioning in the state. The minister said that the government will soon take further steps in the matter.

"The Chief Minister has called a meeting to discuss the matters related to this. The Education Department will soon hand over the list of schools and available information to the Chief Minister," the minister said.

"Teachers and school authorities should not engage in activities in classrooms that negatively affect students' physical or mental well-being, including body shaming. Similarly, demands related to fees, such as vehicle charges, should not be addressed to students in classrooms in the presence of other students. Instead, such matters should be raised directly with parents, as most of them now have mobile phones. No child in a school should be excluded from study tours due to the inability to pay tour fees. The Director of General Education has been directed to submit a report within a week on the steps taken for immediate implementation of the recommendations regarding study tours in schools and personal celebrations in schools," he said.

"School study tours are increasingly being reduced to mere leisure trips. Moreover, some schools are charging exorbitant rates for these trips. Financially disadvantaged students are unable to go on study tours as they don't have such large sums to pay for the tour. This can cause mental distress in such students. Therefore, study tours should be organized in a manner accessible to all students. The travel expenses of accompanying teachers and PTA members should be borne by the respective PTA committees or staff management committees," he said.

"In schools, personal celebrations such as birthdays of staff and students are being organized, and students are being compelled to bring gifts for these events. Instances have been noted where students who fail to bring gifts are singled out. To prevent such financial burdens on students, school authorities must take strict measures to avoid such celebrations," the minister added.